Most of us probably visit the doctor when we’re sick, but the occasional check-up to help prevent future illness can also be important. In general, your doctor will try to make sure you are in good health by talking to you about your diet, exercise, smoking and alcohol intake, but they will also recommend regular tests at certain points in your life. "Whilst it’s a bit icky to talk about testing your poo or having a cervical screen, I think that the ramifications of not doing that are far worse," says Dr Paula Conroy, deputy chair of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, Queensland. The tests and screening programs are not necessarily without risks. Research has found that screening can lead to overdiagnosis , which can expose healthy people to more unnecessary tests, invasive procedures and anxiety about their wellbeing. Dr Conroy and Dr Tim Jones, a Hobart […]